Grayling Attacks FOI - Reprieve Comment

UNITED KINGDOM - Responding to Chris Grayling’s suggestion that journalists’ using Freedom of Information to ‘generate’ stories are ‘misusing’ the Act, Donald Campbell from human rights organization Reprieve said:

“It is worrying that Mr Grayling seems to be criticizing the media for doing a crucial job: keeping the public informed about the activities of Government. This is especially important when it concerns an issue that ministers would rather keep secret.

“Freedom of information is a crucial tool for keeping our political system honest. For example, FOI requests forced the UK Government to admit that it had sought to keep parts of the US Senate torture report secret.

“The Government must think again about its plans to weaken the Freedom of Information Act, and recognise its importance in exposing waste and wrongdoing.”

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Reprieve is a UK-based human rights organization that uses the law to enforce the human rights of prisoners, from death row to Guantánamo Bay.

Further

Lord, what would John Lennon have made of the Trump monster? Marking Thursday's 36th anniversary of Lennon's murder, Yoko Ono posted a plea for gun control, calling his death "a hollowing experience" and pleading, "Together, let's bring back America, the green land of Peace." With so many seeking solace in these ugly times, mourns one fan, "Oh John, you really should be here." Lennon conceded then, and likely would now, "Reality leaves a lot to the imagination."